Vermont Standard
By Curt Peterson
Standard Correspondent
First to speak when Chairwoman Patty McGrath asked for “Citizens Input,” resident Pat Linnemayr started a firestorm when she said, “I’d like to request a public hearing prior to any more work being done at the Killington Road/ West Hill Road intersection.”
McGrath asked Linnemayr, who says she is 92 years old and started working at the Killington Resort in 1975, “What are your specific issues?”
Linnemayr handed each selectman a copy of a hand-drawn diagram of the “Y-shaped” intersection with lane width measurements and markings for proposed plantings, a document she called, “Exhibit A.” She said that the “slip lane” is too narrow, and the island juts out too far, both of which make turning “very difficult.”
“I realize the slip lane is designated a ‘collector road’ so it can legally be narrow, and that this is supposed to discourage speeding and use by other than local traffic. But the Boston skiers use it anyway, which makes the intersection very dangerous,” she said.
McGrath said the design of the intersection follows state guidelines. Selectman Chris Bianchi added that, while the guidelines are optional, the town has to follow them to qualify for Agency of Transportation grant money on which they rely to do the planned work on the intersection.
“Well, I think the townspeople should have something to say about how the final design comes out,” Linnemayr said. “I think we should have a public hearing and I think any work should be delayed until the hearing is held.”
Bianchi told her that, while the select board could hold a hearing, they were not going to, that “It is within the purview of the board to make decisions regarding road layout without putting those decisions up to a vote.” He added: “We can’t stop work because a few people don’t like the decisions we’ve made.”
A few attendees raised their hands immediately, and a heated exchange ensued between West Hill Road neighborhood residents and Bianchi over how many people were and were not upset about the planned project. McGrath had to call for order and civility more than a few times.
Vito Rasenas reminded Bianchi that he had gathered signatures from almost every West Hill Road resident last year on a petition condemning the planned layout for the intersection.
“I gave that petition to the board, but I never heard any more about it. I’ll go around and get their signatures again,” he said. “Maybe the people in your neighborhood think the project design is fine, but the people who live near the intersection should have more to say about how it is done.”
Bianchi repeated: “Road layout is not in the voters’ purview. If you don’t like the way we do it, you can vote us out and elect someone you think will design the roads the way you would like them.”
McGrath’s calls for calm prevailed, and the board agreed to put the intersection layout on the agenda for the next meeting so interested residents can come and be heard. But work will continue in the meantime, she said.
Police Chief Whit Montgomery reported that his department has rented office space on the second floor of the Visitor’s Center. He is currently working out of the town garage. Starting July 1, he plans to be in the office from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Because there is no elevator, he will meet with members of the public either on the first floor or off-site, due to Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility requirements. Montgomery said the rental cost is within the $6,000 budget line item.
Howard Smith, president of the Killington Pico Area Association, described a proposal to form a three-way partnership among the KPAA, successor to the Chamber of Commerce, the town and Killington Resort for purposes of event marketing, planning, financing, management and fundraising. He said until now the three entities have each been promoting and running events, duplicating efforts and not using resources as effectively or efficiently as they would if they worked together.
“Because of skiing and snow, winter tourism is a no-brainer”, Smith said. “We think we can get to a point where there’s an event every weekend in the spring, summer and fall as well.”
Under the KPAA proposal the town would exercise oversight and handle the finances for the new partnership. Amy Morrison, who currently works part-time for the town as event coordinator, and part-time for KPAA, would become the director/ manager of operations and move to the Visitor Center full-time.
After some head-shaking doubts and questions from the attendees Chris Bianchi moved to support the proposal and the board unanimously agreed.
Seth Webb was authorized to formalize a proposed firearm discharge ordinance for consideration by the board, then review by the town’s attorney, with intentions of putting adoption on the warnings for the 2016 Town Meeting.
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Standard Correspondent
First to speak when Chairwoman Patty McGrath asked for “Citizens Input,” resident Pat Linnemayr started a firestorm when she said, “I’d like to request a public hearing prior to any more work being done at the Killington Road/ West Hill Road intersection.”
McGrath asked Linnemayr, who says she is 92 years old and started working at the Killington Resort in 1975, “What are your specific issues?”
Linnemayr handed each selectman a copy of a hand-drawn diagram of the “Y-shaped” intersection with lane width measurements and markings for proposed plantings, a document she called, “Exhibit A.” She said that the “slip lane” is too narrow, and the island juts out too far, both of which make turning “very difficult.”
“I realize the slip lane is designated a ‘collector road’ so it can legally be narrow, and that this is supposed to discourage speeding and use by other than local traffic. But the Boston skiers use it anyway, which makes the intersection very dangerous,” she said.
McGrath said the design of the intersection follows state guidelines. Selectman Chris Bianchi added that, while the guidelines are optional, the town has to follow them to qualify for Agency of Transportation grant money on which they rely to do the planned work on the intersection.
“Well, I think the townspeople should have something to say about how the final design comes out,” Linnemayr said. “I think we should have a public hearing and I think any work should be delayed until the hearing is held.”
Bianchi told her that, while the select board could hold a hearing, they were not going to, that “It is within the purview of the board to make decisions regarding road layout without putting those decisions up to a vote.” He added: “We can’t stop work because a few people don’t like the decisions we’ve made.”
A few attendees raised their hands immediately, and a heated exchange ensued between West Hill Road neighborhood residents and Bianchi over how many people were and were not upset about the planned project. McGrath had to call for order and civility more than a few times.
Vito Rasenas reminded Bianchi that he had gathered signatures from almost every West Hill Road resident last year on a petition condemning the planned layout for the intersection.
“I gave that petition to the board, but I never heard any more about it. I’ll go around and get their signatures again,” he said. “Maybe the people in your neighborhood think the project design is fine, but the people who live near the intersection should have more to say about how it is done.”
Bianchi repeated: “Road layout is not in the voters’ purview. If you don’t like the way we do it, you can vote us out and elect someone you think will design the roads the way you would like them.”
McGrath’s calls for calm prevailed, and the board agreed to put the intersection layout on the agenda for the next meeting so interested residents can come and be heard. But work will continue in the meantime, she said.
Police Chief Whit Montgomery reported that his department has rented office space on the second floor of the Visitor’s Center. He is currently working out of the town garage. Starting July 1, he plans to be in the office from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Because there is no elevator, he will meet with members of the public either on the first floor or off-site, due to Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility requirements. Montgomery said the rental cost is within the $6,000 budget line item.
Howard Smith, president of the Killington Pico Area Association, described a proposal to form a three-way partnership among the KPAA, successor to the Chamber of Commerce, the town and Killington Resort for purposes of event marketing, planning, financing, management and fundraising. He said until now the three entities have each been promoting and running events, duplicating efforts and not using resources as effectively or efficiently as they would if they worked together.
“Because of skiing and snow, winter tourism is a no-brainer”, Smith said. “We think we can get to a point where there’s an event every weekend in the spring, summer and fall as well.”
Under the KPAA proposal the town would exercise oversight and handle the finances for the new partnership. Amy Morrison, who currently works part-time for the town as event coordinator, and part-time for KPAA, would become the director/ manager of operations and move to the Visitor Center full-time.
After some head-shaking doubts and questions from the attendees Chris Bianchi moved to support the proposal and the board unanimously agreed.
Seth Webb was authorized to formalize a proposed firearm discharge ordinance for consideration by the board, then review by the town’s attorney, with intentions of putting adoption on the warnings for the 2016 Town Meeting.
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